Hot chocolate is a childhood classic. One of my fondest memories as a child was slurping half-melted whipped cream off the top of a warm mug of cocoa. I’d beg to have it right off the stove, but it was always too hot for gulping. Instead I’d have to sip it and then savor the cool whipped cream against my tongue. We all remember this moment as kids, right? As I have grown, however, my tastes have changed. What I like now is freshly beaten whipped cream, extra-rich chocolate, and, of course, amaretto. Adding a shot of liquor to this decadent treat pushes the experience over the top. It updates my warm childhood memories in a wonderfully grown-up way. I recommend making a double batch of this hot chocolate, and serving the kids first! Send them off to bed, then relax with your own unadulterated cup.

Materials

Milk
Whipped cream
Cocoa
Amaretto
SaucepanStep 1: Pour 2 cups of milk into the saucepan.Step 2: Add as much cocoa powder as you like. I used a very generous heaping tablespoon of chocolate.Step 3: Heat the milk, stirring often. Break up any clumps of chocolate and make sure the cocoa dissolves completely. When it’s warm all the way through, and beginning to steam, remove it from the heat.Step 4: Pour the cocoa into cups.Step 5: For the kids, add a dollop of whipped cream, and then send them to bed!Step 6: For the grownups, pour a shot of amaretto over the whipped cream and then relax by the fire!

If you start with about only 1/4c. of milk in the saucepan and use it to make a smooth paste with the cocoa powder to eliminate lumps, then you can easily thin out that paste with the other 1 3/4c. milk.

wynk.pip.verisignlabs.com

…peppermint schnapps and a dollop of marshmallow creme. :D

Brookelynn

YUMMMMM!!!! Thanks for the variation! I hope everyone posts their favorite version here in the comments too!!!

Dana

I hate to sound like a prude, but what’s with all the alcohol related posts lately? In the past few months I have seen numerous posts that seem rather…unecessary. Just my opinion but maybe forego the cocktail ones and opt for posts about acutal crafts that apply to a wider range of craft readers.

Anonymous

But alcohol makes crafting so much more fun! Lighten up. Really.

Nari

Are you implying that most crafters don’t drink?
I guess you haven’t been to a DIY ugly sweater party.
By the end of the night you can’t tell where the sweater ends and the vomit begins.

That Falafel Girl

I personally like to have my hot chocolate fortified with Vitamin B! (Bailey’s!)

Lacey

I hate to nit-pick (oh, who am I kidding, I love it) but I think you’ll want to relax with your own adulterated cup.

kimplosion

sooo… just… omit… the booze…
or try it and love it?

e.marie

Just to endorse a couple of the comments, I wholeheartedly support That Falafel Girl’s recommendation for Vitamin B (awesome, I’m totally going to call it that from now on)–I almost always put it in my cocoa, and also Danese’s tip about mixing cocoa into a paste, because it’s so much easier.
Looking forward to trying amaretto now!

Laurinda

My favorite (I’ve always had a major sweet tooth) Is Buttershots in my hot chocolate! Use more milk, because it is SWEET!!